Ill Manors (album)

Ill Manors (stylised as ill Manors) is a soundtrack album by British musician and rapper Plan B released on 23 July 2012 as the soundtrack to the film of the same name. Several songs were used in the film Ill Manors, although some of the recordings were completed after the release of the film. The record was mainly produced by Al Shux and Plan B and also features collaborations with Labrinth, Kano, Takura Tendayi and John Cooper Clarke. Ill Manors debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and received widespread acclaim by critics. It was also nominated for the Mercury Prize.

Ill Manors
Soundtrack album by
Plan B
Released23 July 2012 (2012-07-23)
Recorded2011–2012
StudioThe Sanctuary
(London, UK)
Edge Recording Studio
(Alderley Edge, UK)
GenreHip hop,[1] dubstep, grime[2]
Length46:11
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerPlan B, Al Shux, Eric Appapoulay, David McEwan, 16bit, Labrinth, Saul Milton
Plan B chronology
The Defamation of Strickland Banks
(2010)		 Ill Manors
(2012)		 Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose
(2018)
Singles from Ill Manors
  1. "Ill Manors"
    Released: 23 March 2012
  2. "Lost My Way"
    Released: 2 July 2012
  3. "Deepest Shame"
    Released: 9 September 2012
  4. "Playing with Fire"
    Released: 3 December 2012

Background and composition

The film Ill Manors was written as a "hip hop musical for the twenty-first century",[3] incorporating elements of both crime drama and music video sequences. Plan B had always intended to narrate the film with a different song for each the six stories,[4] however some songs were written later, such as "Ill Manors". Due to success of The Defamation of Strickland Banks, Plan B toured extensively for two years and post-production of the film and the recording of the album was not completed until 2012.

Recording sessions for the album took place at The Sanctuary in London and Edge Recording Studio in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.[5] Speaking about the album in an interview, Drew stated, "You could call it bassline, soul, with a bit of hip hop. The album has the lyrical depth of my first record but the musical composition is light years ahead, as it's informed by everything I've learnt in the last five years – writing, producing and playing with a live band. I feel I'm better than I've ever been."[6] In an NME magazine interview with Drew on 31 March 2012, "I Am the Narrator", the first song heard in the film, was originally given the working title of "Fairydust". "Deepest Shame" was first written as a hip hop song entitled "Michelle" that was used in Drew's 2008 short film Michelle and features beatboxer Faith SFX. The version of "Michelle" that was used in Ill Manors has some elements similar to "Deepest Shame", however for the album release the song was re-written as more of a soul number, although "Michelle" is included on the deluxe edition bonus disc.

"Lost My Way" was first performed live on Later... with Jools Holland in May 2012 and Drew claimed that he was still writing the second verse on the way to the TV studio. Before its performance at Maida Vale, Plan B stated the working title of "Playing with Fire" was "Jake", named after its corresponding character in the film. During an interview via Digital Spy on 6 June 2012, Drew admitted that he had to yet to complete work on the record.[7] After the performance, Drew was interviewed by Zane Lowe, and he admitted that although work was due to be completed on the album on that day, the album was still incomplete. In an NME interview in March 2012, it was stated that a track entitled "Don't Be Afraid", produced by former Plan B collaborators Chase & Status, had been pencilled in as the second single. The final album did not contain any production from Chase & Status. The same interview confirmed a track called "The Towers" had been completed. This did not feature on the album, and it is unclear whether it was re-titled or remains unreleased. "Lost My Way", "Great Day for a Murder" and "Live Once" do not feature in the movie. "Pity The Plight" contains different lyrics to the movie version, which deals with Chris getting information out of Terry at the garage. The album version deals with the stand-off between Chris, Jake and Marcell.

Promotion and release

On 8 February 2012, it was announced the album would be released on 7 May via Atlantic Records. Shortly after, the album's lead single, Ill Manors, premiered. Subsequently, retail websites soon began to report that the release of the album had been put back, with a new release of 16 July now reported and later Amazon.co.uk and other retail websites soon reported that the album had been pushed back by another week, and was now due for release on 23 July. The deluxe version of the album includes a bonus disc of the original film score for Ill Manors with music composed by Shux and Plan B and the iTunes deluxe edition also includes two remixes of "Lost My Way" as bonus tracks.

On 11 May 2012, Drew premiered the album tracks "Lost My Way" and "Deepest Shame" during a performance on Later with Jools Holland.[8] The official studio version of "Lost My Way" received its first play on BBC Radio 1 on 23 May 2012. It was made available in the form of a lyric video via YouTube later that evening. On 13 June 2012, Drew performed a live session in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, which for a special occasion, was held at the Maida Vale Studios. During the performance, Drew premiered the tracks "Falling Down" and "Playing with Fire", as well as giving further performances of "Deepest Shame", "Lost My Way" and "Ill Manors". A free download of "Falling Down" became available to those who sign up to the official mailing list.[9] On 23 July 2012, the album launch party took place in the underground car park of Great Suffolk Street Warehouse, in south-east London,[10] a location that had previously been a secret. Labrinth commented "It's like a dungeon, but maybe it works with the whole Ill Manors concept!"[11] The event featured several guest appearances, including Labrinth, Etta Bond, John Cooper Clarke, Kano, Takura and Faith SFX, who beatboxed and provided backing vocals. The event in its entirety was available to stream live on the LoveLiveTV YouTube channel,[12] repeated once immediately after the event. Tracks were uploaded individually afterwards for playback.

Singles

"Ill Manors" was released as the album's lead single on 25 March 2012. The track was premiered by Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1 on 27 February 2012.[13] The music video was made available on 4 March 2012. The single was officially made available on 25 March 2012. Ill Manors peaked at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart on 1 April 2012.[14] The track was also made available as a free download on pre-order of the deluxe edition of the album.[15] The official music video contains footage of Plan B's spring forest tour, intercut with footage of Jake's story from the ill Manors movie. After the release of the album, "Lost My Way" charted at No. 121 on the UK Singles Chart from download sales.

"Deepest Shame" was released as the third single from the album, on 9 September 2012. The video for the track premiered on 6 August 2012. The video features Anouska Mond, who plays Michelle in ill Manors.[16] The track has thus far peaked on the UK Singles Chart at No. 17, following the release of an EP of remixes. "Playing with Fire" was released as the fourth single from the album, on 3 December 2012. The track features vocals from producer and vocalist Labrinth. An animated video for the track premiered in July 2012, prior to the release of the album. The official video will reportedly premiere towards the end of September. The track's release as a single was confirmed by Labrinth at T4 on the Beach.

Reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic83/100[17]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
Drowned in Sound8/10[1]
The Guardian[18]
MusicOMH[19]
NME8/10[20]
The Observer[21]
Spin8/10[22]
The Telegraph[23]

Ill Manors received widespread acclaim from music critics. At aggregate review website Metacritic the album attains an average score of 83 out of 100, based on reviews from 14 professional critics, which indicates "universal acclaim".[17] The album was shortlisted for the 2012 Mercury Prize.[24] The award was eventually given to An Awesome Wave by Alt-J.[24]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ill Manors"Ben Drew, Al Shuckburg, Vincent von Schlippenbach, David Conen, Pierre Baigorry, Dmitri ShostakovichAl Shux, Plan B3:46
2."I Am the Narrator"Drew, Craig Merrin16bit, Eric Appapoulay (add.)3:35
3."Drug Dealer" (featuring Takura)Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B5:00
4."Playing with Fire" (featuring Labrinth)Drew, Timothy McKenziePlan B, Labrinth3:40
5."Deepest Shame"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B, Eric Appapoulay (add.)3:37
6."Pity the Plight" (featuring John Cooper Clarke)Drew, Shuckburg, John Cooper Clarke, Chris Haywood BrownAl Shux, Plan B4:21
7."Lost My Way"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B4:42
8."The Runaway"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B3:44
9."Great Day for a Murder"Drew, Eric Appapoulay, Cathal Joseph SmythPlan B, Eric Appapoulay, Saul Milton4:31
10."Live Once" (featuring Kano)Drew, Kieron McIntoshAl Shux, Plan B, Eric Appapoulay (add.)4:31
11."Falling Down"Drew, Appapoulay, Richard Cassell, Tom Wright-GossPlan B, David McEwan, Eric Appapoulay4:44
Total length:46:11
iTunes Store and Japanese Bonus Tracks[25]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Lost My Way" (Raekwon Remix)Drew, Shuckburg, Corey WoodsAl Shux, Plan B3:38
13."Lost My Way" (Nu:Tone Remix)Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B5:46
Deluxe Edition Bonus Disc: Ill Manors Film Score[26]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Your Mother Was a Prostitute"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B1:34
2."My Boy's a Mad Boy Y'Know"Drew, Shuckburg, Amir AmourAl Shux, Plan B1:15
3."Michelle"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B2:13
4."Bullet in His Head"Drew, Shuckburg, Appapoulay, Nick RyanAl Shux, Plan B0:46
5."Did You Just Call Me a Cunt?"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B1:37
6."See, It Didn't Kill Me Did It?"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B1:39
7."Pity the Plight Score"Drew, Shuckburg, Cooper Clarke, Haywood BrownAl Shux, Plan B2:00
8."Hope in Hell"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B1:12
9."Waiting for the Sun Score"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B2:17
10."What's That? It's a Baby"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B1:25
11."Rescue"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B1:04
12."Pity the Fate Score"Drew, Shuckburg, Haywood BrownAl Shux, Plan B1:39
13."Altered Score"Drew, Shuckburg, Harry EscottAl Shux, Plan B4:16
14."Ed Woz Ere"Drew, ShuckburgAl Shux, Plan B1:24
15."I Have Always Loved You"Drew, Shuckburg, EscottAl Shux, Plan B3:37
Total length:27:58

Note

Sample credits

Personnel
  • Plan B – vocals, producer, mixing

Chart performance

References
  1. J.R. Moores (30 July 2012). "Plan B – Ill Manors". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  2. Jeffries, David. "Ill Manors – Plan B". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  3. Gregory, Jason (22 March 2010). "Plan B to Direct Hip-Hop Musical Movie". Gigwise.com.
  4. "Plan B interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' April 2010". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  5. "Blog | The Edge Recording Studios". recordingstudiocheshire.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  6. "Plan B: 'ill Manors' interview (BBC Radio 1Xtra)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  7. "Plan B hasn't finished 'iLL Manors' soundtrack - video - Music News". Digital Spy. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  8. "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  9. "Free Download - Plan B". Time4planb.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  10. "Plan B and friends launch 'Ill Manors' in London". Nme. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  11. "Plan B: Before and After Interviews at the LoveLive iLL Manors Album Launch". YouTube. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  12. "LoveLiveTV". YouTube. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  13. "Listen to Plan B's comeback single 'iLL Manors'". Nme. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  14. "2012-04-07 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive". Official Charts Company. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  15. "iTunes - Music - ill Manors (Deluxe Version) by Plan B". Itunes.apple.com. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  16. "Plan B - Deepest Shame [OFFICIAL VIDEO". YouTube. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  17. "Ill Manors – Plan B". Metacritic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  18. Petridis, Alexis (19 July 2012). "Plan B: Ill Manors – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  19. Baber, Andy. "Plan B – Ill Manors". MusicOMH. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  20. Wolfson, Sam (22 July 2012). "Plan B – 'iLL Manors'". NME. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  21. Empire, Kitty (22 July 2012). "Plan B: Ill Manors – review". The Observer. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  22. Reeves, Mosi (6 September 2012). "Plan B, 'Ill Manors (Music From And Inspired By the Original Motion Picture)'". Spin. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  23. McCormick, Neil (20 July 2012). "Plan B: Ill Manors, CD review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  24. Topping, Alexandra (2 November 2012). "Mercury prize celebrates 20 years with award for Alt-J's debut album". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  25. "iTunes - Music - ill Manors (Deluxe Version) by Plan B". Itunes.apple.com. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  26. "Ill Manors (Deluxe Edition): Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  27. "Australiancharts.com – Plan B – Ill Manors". Hung Medien.
  28. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Plan B". Hung Medien.
  29. "Plan B | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  30. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2012". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
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